He stood with a cup of wine in his hand, gazing out through the window at the sea. He watched as the waves approached the shore and crashed against the rocks, making a calming sound as they did so. All around him was talking and the sound of conversation but he blocked them out, ignoring them as he raised his glass to his lips, taking a small sip of his liquor.

He adverted his gaze to the sky, seeing the birds as they waltzed across the open emptiness, their bodies a silhouette against the blue. Again he tasted a drop of his drink and closed his eyes behind a golden mask, shielding them the world.

"How beautiful," he said aloud. "How beautiful the sound of waves below and the call of birds above. I pity those who do not behold this image once in their lives."

Guile turned to look at the people behind him assembled in the bar. This specific place in Termina was his favorite to calm himself and watch the view of the ocean below. It was occasionally crowded and he found it hard to clear his mind if the commotions around him were too much, but once he was able to release himself, nothing interrupted his quiet bliss.

Until he heard the voice a woman behind him.

"Excuse me," she said and he turned to face her.

She was a young woman, younger than himself. Her hair was long and light brown, hanging down the middle of her back. Her eyes blue and alert, regarding him with much respect and giving him her full attention. Her clothes were simple, long pants that covered her long legs and a shirt that wrapped around her, a few sizes too big for her small frame.

"Excuse me, but are you not Guile, the magician?" she asked.

The man took a sip of red wine as he kept his eyes on her. "Why yes, that would be me. But what business do you have?"

The girl, having not yet given her name, curtsied deeply, bowing her head towards the ground. "My name is Aira. I only wish to thank you for what you've done. It was thanks to you that the world as a whole is saved."

The magician simply watched her behind his façade, the glass held between his fingers beginning to turn round and round as he twisted it. "You need not thank me, my lady. I believe that any man would fight to save the world he lives in. And besides," he said, turning away from her to face the window again, "do you even know the whole story of what we've done?"

Aira stood straight again and watched him as he moved away from her. "No…Not the entire story. All I've been told is you along with more than a dozen others saved our home. I only wish to repay my gratitude."

Both stayed quiet for a moment, neither knowing what to say as the other stared in a different direction. Occasionally the magician would taste his cocktail, relaxing himself.

"Hmm…the sky is peaceful today," he said slowly, catching the girl's attention. "It matches well with your eyes." Aira flushed a bright crimson at his words, unsure why she had reacted so.

"I've been told you were a one with words. I guess they were right."

Guile turned to look at her. "They? They as in who?"

"The others you were together with. Do you remember Van?" Guile thought for a moment, lifting his glass.

"Ahh, the boy painter. Yes, I remember him clearly, small child he was."

"My family has been on good terms with theirs for sometime. I occasionally watch Van if his father is out. He spoke of his many adventures with you often and told me of all the deeds you've done. It seemed you were an important aspect in the party." She smiled brightly, a beam of happiness as he lifted a brow slightly, not insincere but more questioning.

"I cant say I've lived up to what the boy has told you. As you can see, I spend much of my time in this bar."

"That doesn't bother me. Besides, it was rather easy to find you, seeing how you're seen her often." She smiled shyly at him, turning away from him to look at the people about.

"Your apparent appreciate is enough to thank me. I am truly grateful that someone has paid their respects. Now, if you excuse me, my lady, I must be off. Perhaps we shall see each other again sometime. Sometime soon."

Placing his glass on the windowpane, he bowed gracefully to her, sweeping his arms back. Slowly and with a measured pace, he headed for the door and opened and closed the wooden gate, choosing to exit as a human would, not a magician with magic and smoke.